Monia Aljalis
Author and poet
I wish for a renewed vision of how a spiritual revelation can deepen our understanding of our roots — allowing people to be closer to each other. Through writing, I hope to ground that vision in a rhythm — one that would anchor me in this world and within the continuum of a long, rich heritage. I wish for the banks of the Ganges to inspire a strong poem — one that speaks of acceptance, clarity and the grace of enlightenment.
Franco-Tunisian writer, poet, performer and literature teacher Monia Aljalis explores questions of identity, transmission, and spiritual dissonance in contemporary life. Her first novel, L’Extase (Seuil, 2024), follows Leyla, a young woman drifting through Paris, suspended between inherited beliefs and modern desire. Aljalis is also the founder of Le Bœuf Monstre, an artistic collective in Paris focused on cross-disciplinary experimentation, and Toile Noire, an experimental music duo. Her work has been awarded with the Prix Amic by the Académie Française.
